Blacktoft Sands RSPB

On Saturday afternoon we headed out to Blacktoft Sands RSPB, Goole, to join their Roost Watch event. Our group, lead by Pat, an RSPB volunteer, settled ourselves in Ousefleet Hide and during our stay were lucky enough to see 10 Marsh Harriers, 2 Barn Owls hunting, a female Merlin that appeared just in the nick of time and although we didn't see it ourselves a Hen Harrier was spotted briefly.

The Barn Owls were my favourite sightings.

One of the fantastic views from the hide. On the pond, although not all featured here, Coots, Wigeon, Shelduck and Teal. If it hadn't of been for the bone chilling cold I could have sat there for hours...

Blacktoft Sands has the largest tidal reedbed in England, formed where the Ouse and Trent meet to form the Humber estuary. This was our second visit, our first being last September and once again we enjoyed fantastic sightings of the Marsh Harrier.

The reedbeds create such a beautiful landscape whether the view is framed by hedgerows or the more distant patchwork of farmland.